A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation

1
WATER IN NEWS
(A compilation of news and issues covered in media)
Date: 05.05.2014






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Todays bulletin covers water news and issues featured in newspapers and web portals published on
05.05.2014. We have covered print or epaper editions of the following newspapers: (a) Sambad (all
editions), (b) Dharitri (Bhubaneswar), (c) Prameya (all editions), (d) Pragativadi (Bhubaneswar), (e)
Samaj (Bhubaneswar), (f) Samay (Bhubaneswar), (g) Times of India (Bhubaneswar), (h) Pioneer
(Bhubaneswar), (i) Indian Express (Bhubaneswar). Besides we have covered web portals of (a) The
Hindu, (b) The Telegraph, (c) Orissadiary, and (d) Odisha Sun Times.

Issues Covered

Policy/Programme Watch ........................................................................................................................ 2
Water Dispute ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Drinking water woes ................................................................................................................................ 3
Water related illness ................................................................................................................................ 6
Degradation/Restoration of water sources/bodies .................................................................................. 6
Irrigation .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Water Livelihoods .................................................................................................................................... 6
Water Disaster ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Sanitation ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Initiatives ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Innovation ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Dear readers,
Water is the most important ingredient to stay alive, grow and live well. As we attempt to develop
economically, we put a lot of demand on water. Thus water becomes a very important issue. There are
too many issues around water. There are regular management issues and there are seasonal issues of
access and availability.
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC) is extremely happy to present you the first copy
of bulletin Water in News. This bulletin will capture water issues covered by media. We will strive to
produce daily bulletins. We hope that the bulletin will be useful for policy makers, administrators,
service providers, researchers, development practitioners and other interested people and institutions.
Bimal Prasad Pandia
RCDC
A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
2
Policy/Programme Watch
1. In a disaster year Odisha spent only
39% of fund under natural calamity
head of NRDWP: Prameya and the
Pioneer have covered Regional Centre
for Development Cooperations concern
on gross under utilisation of fund under
natural calamity head of National Rural
Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).
The reports say that Odisha had spent
less than 39 percent of fund under
natural calamity head - in year 2013-
14,in a year in which the state faced
multiple major disasters. Prameya also
adds that government is yet to provide
drinking water to 40 percent of
habitations in Odisha.
2. State pulled up for not providing
quality water: The Hindu has reported
that Central government has pulled up
the Odisha government for failing to
provide water in quality-affected
habitations.
(http://www.thehindu.com/todays-
paper/tp-national/tp-
otherstates/state-pulled-up-for-not-
providing-quality-
water/article5977457.ece). The
newspaper has quoted records of
Ministry of Drinking Water and
Sanitation, The achievement in
2013-14 as far as quality-affected
habitations, rural population covered
with piped water supply, number of
tests done in laboratories, number of
sustainability structure constructed
is very poor.
3. Collectors told to ensure Water and
Sanitation facilities in schools and
AWCs: The Indian Express reports about
state governments directive to the
District Collectors regarding drinking
water and toilet facilities in all rural
schools and anganwadi centres. The
report refers to the Supreme Court
judgment dated October 18, 2011 and
says that even after more than 30
months of the order a large number of
schools does not have drinking water
facility.
Water Dispute
1. Pollaran Tribunal decision is politically
motivated, state interest will be
protected:

Central governments decision to form
Pollavaram tribunal and reactions from
different quarters has been prominently
carried by almost all newspapers. Most
newspapers have quoted Chief
Ministers assurances that states
interest will be protected. Most
newspapers have blames electoral
politics and eye of seats in Andhra for
the Central Governments decision to
form the Tribunal.

Dharitri editorial Neerabatara Phala
Pollavaram says lack of proactiveness
from people Odisha has led to renewed
developments with regard to
Pollavaram. It says that notification on
formation of Pollavaram tribunal on
May 1, 2014 has been made with an eye
on Andhra Pradesh election. When the
matter is at the Supreme Court Central
government should not have rushed
through with this, the editorial says.
The editorial goes on to justify relevance
of regional parties to secure regional
interests.

Civil society voice their anger: Times of
India, Orissadiary and Odisha Sun Times
have carried concern of Water Initiatives
Odisha and other civil society
organisations regarding Cabinet decision
on Pollavaram Tribunal.
A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
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Drinking Water Woes
1. Water stressed villagers quit home: The
Pioneer has covered an alarming report,
with photograph, that 61 families of
Maliara village of Ukhura Panchayat
under Gumma block have fled their
homes because of acute water scarcity.
The village has two tubewells. One is
completely defunct the other has very
high iron contamination. The two open
wells are dry. The villagers had to
depend on stream water of another
village for which they had to walk a long
distance.
2. Private telecom company lays cable,
damages water pipeline: Times of India
reports Sambalpur town that private
company reliance telecom has
punctured pipeline at many places,
including main pipeline at Budharaja, in
Sambalpur while laying its cable. The
PHED Executive Engineer says that
water supply has been disrupted in
major parts of the town. A police case
has been registered under Section 427
(damage to public property) against the
erring private company.
3. Drinking unsafe water as government
sources are defunct: Dharitri reports at
page 7 with a photo that most of
drinking water sources established by
government in tribal dominated
Bandhamunda Panchayat of Ranapur
block in Nayagarh district are defunct.
The report titled Dushita Paai
Piuchhanti Loke says that people are
forced to use contaminated water from
Chua and river. It says that there are 48
tubewells in the Panchayats. Most of
those are not working. People Khanana,
Lakhamunduli, Suanda, Tikiraipada are
using water from a small pond. Many
cases of gastro problems are surfacing,
says the report.
4. 4000 villagers of Deogarh district in
acute water crisis as Swajaldhara
remains elusive, villagers trek to the
river to fetch water: The Times of India
reports from Nuapada and Auli villages
of Reamal block in Deogarh district. Only
three tubewells are working in Auli
village where as Nuapada depends on
two tubewells. Nuapada has two other
tubewells in the school and Anganwadi
compound. These spot sources are too
inadequate for 4000 people residing in
the villages. The villagers walk one
kilometre to Auli river to fetch drinking
water. Adding woes, the river is drying
up very rapidly. The newspaper further
reports that a project under Swajaldhara
scheme had been commissioned in year
2008-09. The project is ready but power
could not be supplied as one land owner
objected to laying power supply over his
land. Without any progress, the project
continues to lie unutilised. The report
informs that many power supply
projects in the district are lying defunct
because of such silly reasons. Out of 129
pipe water supply projects in Deogarh
district, 15 are awaiting commissioning
due to delay in power supply.
5. Jalachhatra (drinking water shed) have
not opened: Dharitri at page 10 of its
Bhubaneswar edition reports that
Jalachhatras have not yet been opened
in 8 Panchayats of Cuttack Sadar block.
The Panchayats are Barada, Jashapada,
sompur, Kishorenagar, Dharina,
Bodhpur, Praharajpur and Arilo. The
report says that most of Gaan Kalyan
Samiti do have fund in their account,
hence the delay. The administration is
trying to use emergency fund with
AASHA worker to open Jalachhatra.
6. Water scarcity as Prachi river and canal
have gone dry: Dharitri reports that
most of the water bodies in Niali area
A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
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have gone dry and people and
livestocksare facing serious water
scarcity. As ground water level have
decreases tubewell outputs have
become considerably less. The report
blames a number of reasons for the
woes. It says that in the name of
cleaning of Prachi river all the gandas
have been filled up with soil. As a result
the river has lost its natural water
retention points. The report also blames
dry canal. The canal that links with
Prachi river as well as Niali distributaries
is dry.
7. Groundwater level depleting fast in
Sakhigopal, serious water woes,
demand for canal water supply: A
report in Dharitri captures water woes in
Sakhigopal as well as villages under
Sakhigopal block. It says, as the
groundwater levels have gone down,
water supply in Sakhigopal have reduced
from the normal three hours to one
hour now. The news also report acute
drinking water woes in Raipali,
Dakshinakera, Dokhandapur, Gualipari,
Markandapada, Churali, Alisa,
Shankhapura, Totasahi, BanBarada,
Bhabanipur, Chaudaguntha,
Narendrapur, Benakera, Badheisahi,
Sethisahi and other villages. Though
water is being supplied through tankers
to these villages they are found quite
inadequate. The pipe water supply
project at Alaguma is still incomplete.
Sebaksahi pump house is working but it
is not able to cater to people of 20
villages in three Panchyayats of
Satyavadi block. The RWSS Junior
Engineer says that 25 of a total of 1295
tubewells are defunct. Three mobile
teams are constantly working to restore
the water sources. But fast depletion of
groundwater levels is enhancing
problems. The news report concludes
that water should be released to Sukala
and Bruttanga canal and Ratnachira and
Bhargavi rivers to mitigate the problem.
8. Chief Minister inaugurated water
supply project in February, it has not
provided water since that day: The
Samaj has carried an interesting angle of
water woes in old town areas of
Bhubaneswar. It says that Chief Minister
inaugurated the project to provide
water - to residents of Sundarapada,
Kapileswar and Kapilaprasad of
Bhubaneswar on February 15, 2014.
But no water has been supplied from
that project yet. The report has a very
interesting title, Jalakasta tharu
badhuchhi pratarana kasta. It says that
government is doing deception. The
same has another report, with photo, of
defunct standpost in Palashuni Bhoisahi
of Bhubaneswar.
9. 45 lakh rupees spent for Drinking water
supply project but no water supply:
Prameya has covered issue of defunct
pipe water supply project in Rajpur
village of Aankorada Panchayat of
Digapahandi block Ganjam district. A
pipe water supply project with
expenditure of 45 lakh rupees had been
built in year 2011-12. But even after
three years of its completion water
supply has not begun. As it is not being
used the infrastructures are decaying
rapidly. The villagers had submitted a
memorandum. But no action has been
taken. Villagers are facing a lot of
problem. The 800 households big village
has 7 tubewells but only three are used
for drinking water.
10. Private pumps draw water from pipe,
serious water supply problem in
Balasore: Balasore edition of Sambad
says that rampant use of pumps by
individual households to water directly
from the pipe network has seriously
A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
5
affected water supply in Barabati,
Ranipatana and Chunabhati area of
Balasore town. Gosalapada area of the
town is not having serious problem. The
only tap isn not working. As per 2011,
population of Balasor eis 1.44 lakh. The
town has 106 kilometer long pipe
network having 631 taps. The town has
331 tubewells and 67 pump house. The
town has a demand of 20.2 million liter
while supply is 19.19 MLD. Long queue
at tubewell has become a feature. The
report shows a photo of a tubewell.
11. Sijua in Bhubaneswar is in deep thirst:
Sijua is a village in the outskirt of
Bhubaneswar. The Sambad report under
title Shosare Sijua informs that all five
tubewells of the village are almost
defunct. People complain of insects in
one tubewell. Some are fully defunct
some are working partially. A pipe water
supply project lies half complete.
12. Water supply in Berhampur disrupted
for two days: Times of India reports that
water supply to most parts of
Berhampur has been disrupted because
of pipeline, that collects water from
Rushikulya river, rupture near Sara
village. The report complains that the
pipeline should be replaced every 15
years. But due to callous attitude of the
officials, water continues to be supplied
through old pipeline with leakages at
many places. Many people also
deliberately puncture the pipeline to
irrigate their fields and fetch water. The
PHED spends 40 lakh rupees every year
on pipeline repair. A 59 crore project to
replace the pipe is already sanctioned
but callous officials failed finalise the
tender. Now the cost has escalated to
99 Crore rupees. While the pipeline is
being repaired PHED has engaged
tankers to supply emergency water, says
PHED Executive Engineer.
13. 2500 people of Krushnanagar village of
Bhogarai block depend on four
tubewells: Balasore edition of Sambad
files agonising report from Krushnagar
village of Huguli Panchayat in Bhogari
block of Balasore district. 2500 people of
the village depend on just four
tubewells for their drinking water needs
as well as other needs like bathing and
other needs. The village is just one
kilometre from coast and all surface
water sources have gone dry. The village
has nine government tubewells but only
four are working. Foundation stone has
been laid for one pipe water supply
project but work has not started.
14. Tourists being charged exorbitant price
for water: Dharitri in its metro pays says
that tourists are being forced to buy
water at exorbitant rate in tourist
places. Even the small water pouches
are being sold at two rupees.
15. Water scarcity takes heavy toll on
animals: The Times of India reports
acute shortage of drinking water for
animals of Rahunathpur, Erasama and
Balikuda region of Kendrapada district.
Many spotted dear of died in recent
days. All ponds and water bodies
including Hansua river have completed
dried up says the report.
16. Water supply project defunct in
Balakati hospital: Sambad reports that
the water supply project in Balakati
hospital is lying defunct. Patient and
attendants are facing a lot of hardship.
The report rues that Rogi Kalyan Samiti
fund is lying unutilised. It could have
been spent to restore the project.

A bulletin of news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
6
Water Related Illness
1. Diarrhoea death in Balangir: The
Pioneer, Times of India have reported
frightening incidence of two deaths to
diarrhoea in Balangir. This incidence
happened in Chermera village under
Jhankarpali Panchayat. The report
attributes the reason to bad quality
water. The villagers are sourcing their
water from the pond.
Degradation/Restoration of water
sources/bodies
1. Dharitri carries news on attempt to
restore Badanala in Ghatagaon block of
Kendujhar district. The forest
department has drawn up a 8 crore
rupees watershed based projecct to
restore the 15 kilometre long stream.
The report says that because of
extensive mining in the area most of the
streams and rivulets are getting silted.
Water is getting polluted. The report is
hopeful of the project but is also
apprehensive of its success in the face of
large scale mining.
2. Sand Mining: Bhubaneswar edition of
Samaj in its front page has covered
Green Tribunals order seeking report of
sand mining from various rivers in
Odisha. The Tribunal, in its order on
March 19, has sought report from the
State Government on seven issues
including information on number of
leases granted and their status. Jeypore
edition of Sambad reports from
Rayagada about largescale illegal sand
mining from Nagabali river. Sambalpur
edition of Prameya reports, with photo,
of illegal sand mining from Ib river near
Jharsuguda and Brajarajnagar.
3. Padagaya kunda neglected: Sambad in
its Mahanagar pager carries a report,
with photograph, under title Padagaya
Kunda Abahelita. People give pinda in
this historic pond in Samantarapur of
Bhubaneswar. The saying goes that
when Lord Bishun killed Gayasura,
Gayasuras chopped off feet had fallen
here. The pond now is full of garbage
and stinking badly.
Irrigation
1. Bruttanga irrigation project mirage:
Prameya has carried a news under title
Brutanga Jalasechana Prakalpa
Dhuanbana. The report gives a history
of the project in Nayagarh district. The
idea was first accepted by Jawaharlal
Nehru in 1964. Survey work started in
1976. Separate division started in 1980.
The project has a budget of 300 Crore
rupees. The news report rues that in
spite of getting most clearances the
project is still lying in cold storage as it
has not got the stage II clearance from
MoEF.
Water Livelihoods
1. Fisherman livelihoods under threat:
Times of India reports from Kendrapada
that ban on fishing has resulted in
skyrocketing of fish price. Balasore
edition of Sambad also reports from
Bhadrak about unavailaibility of fish, sky
rocketing prices. It says that livelihoods
of fisherman is in danger. The Prameya,
in its Berhampur edition, has carried a
very exhaustive feature under title
Sankatare Sagara Soudagara, It refers
to statistics and opinion of various
people relating marine fish production.
It says that marine fish catch is
dwindling leading to serious threat to
fishermen livelihoods.
A bulletin of news on water compiled by
Water Disaster
1. Drowning cases: Prameya and Sambad
have reported three tragic incidences of
drowning in Jajpur and Keonjhar districts
where three boys have died and one is
missing. Angul and Jeypore edition of
Sambad report of drowning death of
two students in Patali river of Koraput
district.
2. Boat safety: Indian Express reports
about Jajpur district adm
effort to curb violation of safety
measures in boats. The district Collector
has orders BDOs to enumerate boats
and identify illegal boats. All boats will
prominently show registration number
along with maximum passenger
capacity. The administration is also
planning insurance cover for all boats
and tourists. According to official
sources there are 300 boats in the
district.
3. Coastal erosion: Balasore edition of
Sambad in its fourth page reports about
coastal erosion near Panchupada and
Dubdubi river month near Sartha village
of Basta block in Balasore. It fears that
coastal erosion if not mitigated will
gobble up Sartha village very soon. The
sea has encroached one kilometre in the
last five years the report informs.
Sanitation
1. No end to Brahmapurs shameful
sanitation status: The Times of India
and Hindu have elaborate reported from
Berhampur about pathetic sanitation
status there.
(http://www.thehindu.com/todays


(RCDC seeks your inputs and ideas to
make it more comprehensive and user
friendly. All inputs will be appropriately
credited to the contributor/author.
news on water compiled by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
Water Disaster
Prameya and Sambad
have reported three tragic incidences of
in Jajpur and Keonjhar districts
where three boys have died and one is
missing. Angul and Jeypore edition of
Sambad report of drowning death of
two students in Patali river of Koraput
: Indian Express reports
about Jajpur district administrations
effort to curb violation of safety
measures in boats. The district Collector
has orders BDOs to enumerate boats
and identify illegal boats. All boats will
prominently show registration number
along with maximum passenger
tration is also
planning insurance cover for all boats
and tourists. According to official
sources there are 300 boats in the
: Balasore edition of
Sambad in its fourth page reports about
coastal erosion near Panchupada and
i river month near Sartha village
of Basta block in Balasore. It fears that
coastal erosion if not mitigated will
gobble up Sartha village very soon. The
sea has encroached one kilometre in the
last five years the report informs.

mapurs shameful
The Times of India
and Hindu have elaborate reported from
Berhampur about pathetic sanitation
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-
paper/tp-national/tp
59-of-berhampur-residents
toilets/article5977465.ece
percent of about 1.17 lakh slum dwellers
have access to toilet. The BMC is
constrained by fund to improve toilet
facilities in the city. The BMC gets only
37 lakh for the purpose. Sulabh
International was paid 98.44 lakh f
maintenance of 18 public toilets during
2000-2014. Apart from maintenance of
existing public toilets, BMC did not
allocate any budget forconstruction of
new toilets from 2000 to 2012. In 2012
13 and 2013-14 BMC has sanctioned 10
lakh and 30 lakh rupees
construction of toilets, which many
experts believe as too insufficient.
Initiatives
1. 80 women clean pond in Sambalpur
Sambalpur edition of Prameya has
carried a news, with photo, of 80
women cleaning a pond at the centre of
Sambalpur city. The pond was not being
cleaned since last 10 years and
numerous please to the Municipality
went unheeded. The local women took
the matter to themselves and cleaned
the pond within three hours.
Innovation
Sambad carries a small feature on innovation by
Israel company watergen to extract water from
air. One machine can produce 230 to 800 liters
of water a day. The cost of producing wa
be about 1.50 rupees per one litre of water.
REGIONAL CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Plot No: HIG-26, K-6
Housing Scheme, Phase-II,
Kalinga Vihar, Bhubaneswar -
Odisha, India.

(RCDC seeks your inputs and ideas to
make it more comprehensive and user
friendly. All inputs will be appropriately
credited to the contributor/author.
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
7
national/tp-otherstates/over-
residents-do-not-use-
ts/article5977465.ece) Only three
percent of about 1.17 lakh slum dwellers
have access to toilet. The BMC is
constrained by fund to improve toilet
facilities in the city. The BMC gets only
37 lakh for the purpose. Sulabh
International was paid 98.44 lakh for
maintenance of 18 public toilets during
2014. Apart from maintenance of
existing public toilets, BMC did not
allocate any budget forconstruction of
new toilets from 2000 to 2012. In 2012-
14 BMC has sanctioned 10
lakh and 30 lakh rupees respectively for
construction of toilets, which many
experts believe as too insufficient.
Initiatives
80 women clean pond in Sambalpur:
Sambalpur edition of Prameya has
carried a news, with photo, of 80
women cleaning a pond at the centre of
Sambalpur city. The pond was not being
cleaned since last 10 years and
numerous please to the Municipality
went unheeded. The local women took
atter to themselves and cleaned
the pond within three hours.
Innovation
Sambad carries a small feature on innovation by
Israel company watergen to extract water from
air. One machine can produce 230 to 800 liters
of water a day. The cost of producing water will
be about 1.50 rupees per one litre of water.
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
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